</s>15-1062.3 FD: 245 - (REV. 4:13:40) - - - - - - - - - - - - - (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILD) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTROY - PRESERVE FOR SEC.ECT COMMITTEE. ON ASSASSINATIONS DO NOT STRIPPED - PRESENTED FOR SEC:ECT COMMITEE. 3433 - - - - - - - - - INVESTIGATION - DATE: INITIAL - - - - Bureau File Number 4438861 Volume Number: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DO NOT RESTROY FOR HISTORICAL ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED - - HISTORICIAL VALUE DECLASSIFICATION NATIONAL ARCHIVES -<loc_32><loc_675><loc_32><loc_689>- - - -<loc_32><loc_698>- See also Nos. <loc_54><loc_699></poly>- -<loc_35><loc_698><loc_32><loc_708>- Newspaper clippings only.

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray (also referred to as Eric S. Galt) in connection with activities linked to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The files include reports from May 1968 involving interviews with Lt. Colonel William P. Fisher and others regarding sightings of Ray in New Orleans, Louisiana, and his alleged connections to the Locksmithing Institute in Little Falls, New Jersey. The investigation notes Ray's enrollment at the institute, payments made via Canadian postal money orders, and his address changes. References are made to individuals such as Charles Methivin, Bill Miller, and Diane Shaw, who were associated with a music bar in New Orleans where Ray may have been present. The FBI sought to locate and interview these individuals to verify potential links to Ray's activities. Additional records from 1968 include teletypes and correspondence referencing James Barl Ray (possibly an alias for James Earl Ray) as "armed and dangerous," with details about his alleged trips to New Orleans, financial struggles, and connections to Alabama. A portion discusses an interview with Marie Martin, who provided information about Ray's interactions, including possible ties to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. The text also references a letter from Almera Lomax suggesting theories about the assassination being linked to racial tensions and political motives, listing potential suspects in Alabama, including white individuals and groups like Citizens' Councils. Administrative communications about flight personnel, car rental agencies, and unrelated topics such as dancing schools are also included.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (also known as Eric S. Galt): Central figure in the investigation, linked to the Locksmithing Institute and alleged connections to MLK's assassination.  
- **Lt. Colonel William P. Fisher**: Interviewed regarding sightings of Ray in New Orleans.  
- **Charles Methivin**: Former owner of a music bar in New Orleans where Ray may have been present.  
- **Bill Miller**: Ex-convict bartender potentially connected to Ray's activities.  
- **Diane Shaw**: Individual associated with the Music Box Bar in New Orleans.  
- **Marie Martin**: Provided information about Ray's interactions, including possible ties to MLK's assassination.  
- **Almera Lomax**: Suggested theories about the assassination being tied to racial and political motives.  
- **Citizens' Councils (Alabama)**: Listed as potential suspects in connection with the investigation.  

Key Locations  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Site of the Provincial Motel where Fisher stayed and potential sightings of Ray; location of the Music Box Bar associated with Methivin and Miller.  
- **Little Falls, New Jersey**: Home of the Locksmithing Institute where Ray enrolled.  
- **Montgomery, Alabama**: Location of interviews conducted by Special Agent Spencer H. Robb.  
- **Birmingham, Tuskegee, Notasulga, Alabama**: Mentioned in context of potential suspects and theories about the assassination.  

Key Events  
- **Interviews with Lt. Colonel William P. Fisher** (December 1967): Fisher reported not recognizing Ray in New Orleans.  
- **Investigation into James Earl Ray's enrollment at the Locksmithing Institute**: Includes records of payments made via Canadian postal money orders and address changes.  
- **Surveillance of laundries and dry cleaners** in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and other Louisiana cities to track Ray's movements.  
- **Efforts to locate Bill Miller and Diane Shaw** for potential information on Ray's activities at the Music Box Bar.  
- **Interview with Marie Martin** regarding Ray's alleged connections to MLK's assassination.  
- **Theories about the assassination being linked to racial tensions and political motives**, as suggested by Almera Lomax, listing potential suspects in Alabama.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the investigation into Ray's activities and connections to MLK's assassination.  
- **Locksmithing Institute**: Institution where Ray allegedly enrolled, with records indicating his financial transactions and address changes.  
- **Citizens' Councils (Alabama)**: Listed as potential suspects in connection with the investigation.  
- **Southern Education Fund**, **Southern Conference Education Fund**: Mentioned in administrative communications related to Alabama.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_125-02-part_1_of_2.pdf

Document Summary

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